Waterproof backpack

ABSTRACT

A waterproof backpack with a pouch dimensioned so that it only covers the thoracic area of the spine of the user, a waterproof lining within the pouch, a set of adjustable shoulder straps adjoined at the front of the backpack, and a set of adjustable abdomen straps. The waterproof backpack enables a user to swim whilst wearing the backpack.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to the bag industry and, more particularlyto a waterproof backpack adapted for swimming.

BACKGROUND

People who participate in water sports (such as swimming, surfing,marathon running, canyoneering and skin diving) are often forced toleave their valuable items (such as wallets, mobile phones and keys) ina public place where those items can be stolen.

Waterproof bags are available which protect the contents of the bagagainst water damage. These bags have an opening which is rolled overand then locked together with a clip. However, many of these bags areprimarily designed to protect the contents of the bag from rain. Suchbags are merely “water resistant” and cannot withstand seepage evenslightly underneath the surface of the water.

Moreover, these bags are not designed to be worn whilst swimming. Manyof these backpack designs have a single strap, which is awkward to carryand even more awkward to swim with. The user could not swim in a naturalway (i.e. using an overarm stroke) but would be forced to pull the bagacross the surface of the water with one hand, whilst slowingprogressing through the water with the other hand and the kicking withtheir feet. Such a swimming style is not only slow, but exhausting.

Many of currently available waterproof bag designs trap a large amountof air within them, such that they could not be easily submerged. Theirbuoyancy would make it practically difficult for a user to progressthrough the water.

It would be useful if there was a way to take valuable items in thewater whilst participating in water sports and particularly whilstswimming with an overarm stroke.

The object of the present invention is to overcome or at leastsubstantially ameliorate the aforementioned problems.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

According to the present invention, there is provided a waterproofbackpack comprising:

(a) a pouch;

(b) a waterproof lining within the pouch;

(c) a set of shoulder straps adjoined at the front of the backpack; and

(d) abdomen straps;

so that the backpack is adapted to enable and facilitate movement of theshoulders of a user wearing the backpack.

Preferably, the backpack is made from polychloroprene. The abdomenstraps and the shoulder straps are preferably adjustable. It is alsopreferred that the size of the pouch is dimensioned so that it onlycovers the thoracic area of the spine of the user.

Preferably, the shoulder straps are adjoined at the front of thebackpack by a zipper. The waterproof backpack may have a snap-lock. Itis preferred that the backpack has abdomen straps. It is also preferredthat the straps are adjustable. The backpack may have a zipper coveringthe snap-lock waterproof backpack on the pouch. Preferably, the zipperon the pouch is covered by a flap.

Any of the features described herein can be combined in any combinationwith any one or more of the other features described herein within thescope of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

Various embodiments of the invention will be described with reference tothe following drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the rear of the waterproof backpackaccording an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the rear of the waterproof backpack ofFIG. 1, wherein the pouch is opened.

FIG. 3 is a front perspective view of a lining of the waterproofbackpack of FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 is a front perspective view of a user wearing the waterproofbackpack of FIG. 1.

FIG. 5 is a rear view of the waterproof backpack of FIG. 1.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIGS. 1 to 5 show a waterproof backpack 10 according an embodiment tothe present invention. The waterproof backpack 10 comprises a pouch 12which has a snap-lock plastic lining 14 (see FIG. 3). The pouch 12 ispreferably made from polychloroprene (commonly known as Neoprene™)rubber or similar, or another synthetic rubber.

Neoprene is a useful material because it is not only waterproof to somedegree, but it is also flexible. It conforms to the shape of the body ofthe user more than other materials. This allows the user of thewaterproof backpack 10 to easily move whilst performing an over armstroke in the water. The waterproof backpack 10 can move and flex as theuser performs an overarm stroke in the water. The function of thewaterproof backpack 10 is as much about comfort as it is about itswaterproof function.

The key to enabling the user to swim whilst wearing the waterproofbackpack is the shoulder straps 16 which are joined at the front of thewaterproof backpack 10 by a zipper 18 (as shown in FIG. 3). The shoulderstraps 16 are set close the neck 20 of the user (see FIGS. 4 and 5) andas far away as possible from their deltoids 22. The waterproof backpack10 also has abdomen straps 24.

All of the shoulder straps 16 and the abdomen straps 24 are adjustablewith buckles 26. This enables the waterproof backpack 10 to be“one-size-fits-all” design.

The lining 14 is covered with a zipper 28 and a flap 30, which alsoprevents the ingress of water into the pouch.

The carrying capacity of the pouch 12 is limited so that the user doesnot over fill the waterproof backpack 10, which could then present arisk of sinking the user. The pouch 12 is designed to fit over thethoracic spine area rather than the lumber spine area, which couldotherwise impede easy movement by the user. The pouch 12 is alsodesigned to fit within the shoulder blade area of the back so as tofacilitate free movement of the shoulders whilst the user is swimmingwith an overarm stroke.

The pouch 12 can carry valuable items such as a mobile phone, wallet andkeys, all of which are susceptible to water damage. These valuable itemsare often otherwise left next to the water, such as on a beach, wherethey could be stolen.

Some commonly used water bags are not entirely or reliably waterproof.Many users of such bags put their valuable contents of the bag (such aselectronic items) within a disposable plastic bag to protect thecontents from water. The common use and proliferation of such disposableplastic bags is damaging for the environment. The present inventiondispenses with the need for such bags and is therefore beneficial to theenvironment.

In some embodiments of the present invention, the waterproof backpack 10features a water storage compartment and a hose so that user can drinkthe water whilst performing their activities.

In the present specification and claims (if any), the word ‘comprising’and its derivatives including ‘comprises’ and ‘comprise’ include each ofthe stated integers but does not exclude the inclusion of one or morefurther integers.

Reference throughout this specification to ‘one embodiment’ or ‘anembodiment’ means that a particular feature, structure, orcharacteristic described in connection with the embodiment is includedin at least one embodiment of the present invention. Thus, theappearance of the phrases ‘in one embodiment’ or ‘in an embodiment’ invarious places throughout this specification are not necessarily allreferring to the same embodiment. Furthermore, the particular features,structures, or characteristics may be combined in any suitable manner inone or more combinations.

In compliance with the statute, the invention has been described inlanguage more or less specific to structural or methodical features. Itis to be understood that the invention is not limited to specificfeatures shown or described since the means herein described comprisespreferred forms of putting the invention into effect. The invention is,therefore, claimed in any of its forms or modifications within theproper scope of the appended claims (if any) appropriately interpretedby those skilled in the art.

1. A waterproof backpack comprising: (a) a pouch; (b) a waterprooflining within the pouch; (c) a set of shoulder straps adjoined at thefront of the backpack; and (d) abdomen straps; so that the backpack isadapted to enable and facilitate movement of the shoulders of a userwearing the backpack.
 2. The waterproof backpack of claim 1, wherein thebackpack is made from polychloroprene.
 3. The waterproof backpack ofclaim 1, wherein the abdomen straps are adjustable.
 4. The waterproofbackpack of claim 1, wherein the shoulder straps are adjustable.
 5. Thewaterproof backpack of claim 1, wherein the size of the pouch isdimensioned so that the pouch only covers the thoracic area of the spineof the user.